Madeline* has been on paid sick leave for the past month, and has been signed off for another. She’s in the middle of her third disciplinary hearing in the past two years, related to her job as an engineer for an energy innovation company. She has been accused of not following protocol and aggressive behaviour towards colleagues.
The ordeal has affected every part of her life. She’s been isolated from colleagues she used to get on well with and has lost enthusiasm for her engineering career. The stress and emotional impact escalated tension at home, fuelling a separation, and later, divorce proceedings between Madeline and her husband.
She’s deliberately kept her work situation from her three adult children, who are already struggling with the divorce. For the first time in her life, she’s had to see a therapist. In total, she’s had to take over six months’ leave from work since the investigations began.
Shorts
“I’ve been treated very unfairly. Basically, I’ve been bullied. I’ve lost all trust in people and the whole experience has been very damaging. It’s been draining and stressful ever since the first meeting,” says Madeline.
